Behind the Curtain

13 Jun Behind the Curtain

Having attended regularly since 1997, last week’s South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association Fire Rescue Conference was indeed a richly rewarding experience for me.

Early registrations were at an all time high, and the exhibit hall brimmed with vendors. The “Hands-On Training” classes were well attended, and Rick Lasky and John Salka once again proved themselves to be “Eagles” in our midst. With keynote remarks from baseball great Bobby Richardson and the address on “Three Symbols of Our Calling,” by Mike Gagliano, now Immediate Past President, Ken Kerber did indeed “Swing for the Fence,” thus making the impossible, possible.

With visions of Dorothy and her entourage exposing the real wizard of Oz who was found working in his perceived obscurity and my being in a position to interact with those responsible for and involved with the conference, I returned home with a new appreciation for everything conference related.

Coordinating the conference requires many hours, hands and hearts. Each individual who is a part of the conference works tirelessly for the membership. Simple things like placing programs on the ballroom chairs, setting up for the Memorial Service, providing bottled water for the speakers, handling audio/visual concerns, shuttling speakers to and from the airport, etc. doesn’t occur by accident. Each process requires human interaction.

From my vantage point the wizards of our great conference are the women and men of the Association Staff, Executive Committee, the South Carolina Fire Academy, Leadership Institute students, and other volunteers, who stepped up to the plate last week and aimed for the fence. My thanks to each of you for making the SCSFA Fire Rescue Conference a success!